M-DCPS Receives More National MSA Merit Awards than Any Other District

For Fifth Straight Year, M-DCPS Receives More National MSA Merit Awards than Any Other District

Magnet Schools of America (MSA), a national organization representing over 4,000 magnet schools and programs, annually recognizes magnet schools and programs for their commitment to high academic standards, curriculum innovation, successful diversity efforts, specialized teaching staffs, and parent/community involvement. In total, Miami-Dade County Public Schools received 37 awards for the 2015-2016 award cycle. For the fifth year in a row, M-DCPS out-performed all other school districts nation-wide.

Eighty nine schools across the United States received the coveted Magnet Schools of Excellence Merit Awards, eight of which were awarded to Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Additionally, Miami-Dade County magnet schools received 29 of 169 Magnet Schools of Distinction Merit Awards. Schools earning the MSA Merit Award whether Distinction or Excellence-rank within the TOP 5 percent category of all magnet schools in the nation. Schools awarded the Magnet Schools of Excellence Merit Award not only exceled in all areas measured, but serve as National Exemplary Magnet School Models.

Miami-Dade County’s award-winning public magnet schools for 2016 are as follows:

SCHOOL

MAGNET THEME(S)

MERIT AWARD

Ben Sheppard Elementary School

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

School of Excellence

BioTech @ Richmond Heights 9-12

Conservation Biology

School of Excellence

Coconut Palm K-8 Academy

Agriscience Engineering

Medical Technology

School of Excellence

Dr. Henry E. Perrine Elementary School

Visual and Performing Arts

School of Excellence

Frank C. Martin K-8 Center

International Baccalaureate

School of Excellence

George W. Carver Middle School

International Studies

International Education

School of Excellence

Hammocks Middle School

Pre-Law

School of Excellence

Medical Academy for Science and Technology (MAST @ Homestead)

BioMedical Sciences

Pharmaceutical Sciences

iMed

Physical Therapy

School of Excellence

Air Base K-8 Center

International Education/ Cambridge International

School of Distinction

Arthur & Polly Mays 6-12 Conservatory of the Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

School of Distinction

Coral Reef Senior High School

International Baccalaureate

School of Distinction

Design and Architecture Senior High School (DASH)

Architecture/Interior Design

Industrial Design/Product & Transportation

Fashion Design

Entertainment Technology Film

Visual Communications / Graphic Design

School of Distinction

Felix Varela Senior High School

Veterinary Science

School of Distinction

Herbert A. Ammons Middle School

International Baccalaureate

School of Distinction

Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School

iPrep Academy

School of Distinction

Howard D. McMillan Middle School

Cambridge International/Robotics

School of Distinction

International Studies Preparatory Academy (ISPA)

International Studies

School of Distinction

iPrep Academy Pre-K – 12

International Education/Global Focus

School of Distinction

John A. Ferguson Senior High School

International Business and Finance

School of Distinction

John F. Kennedy Middle School

Bio-Medical / Environmental / Agricultural / Technology (BEAT)

School of Distinction

Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy

Math & Science Technology

Life Science

Mathematics/Computer Science

Natural Sciences

School of Distinction

Lamar Louise Curry Middle School

International Baccalaureate

School of Distinction

Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial High School

Law Studies

Homeland Security

Forensic Science

School of Distinction

Maritime and Science Technology (MAST) Academy

Maritime and Science Technology

School of Distinction

Miami Springs Senior High School

iTECH

School of Distinction

New World School of the Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

School of Distinction

North Miami Beach Senior High School

AP Capstone

School of Distinction

Ponce de Leon Middle School

Int’l Baccalaureate

School of Distinction

Richmond Heights Middle School

Zoology

School of Distinction

Riviera Middle School

Science, Technology & Investigative Research (S.T.I.R.)

School of Distinction

Shenandoah Middle School

Museum Studies

School of Distinction

South Miami K-8 Center

Visual and Performing Arts

School of Distinction

Southside Elementary

Museum Studies

School of Distinction

Southwest Miami Senior High School

Banking and Finance

School of Distinction

Sunset Elementary School

International Studies

School of Distinction

TERRA Environmental Research Institute

Biomedical Research

Environmental Research & Field Studies

Robotics & Engineering Technology

School of Distinction

W.R. Thomas Middle School

Cambridge International

School of Distinction

All awards will be presented at the national MSA annual conference hosted here in Miami, May 4-6, 2016.

In addition, Magnet Schools of America recognizes top magnet school principals regionally and nationally. Martin Reid, Principal of Arthur & Polly Mays 6-12 Conservatory of the Arts, was selected from an applicant pool of magnet school principals from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands as the 2016 Region III Magnet Schools of America Principal of the Year. Mr. Reid advances as a finalist for the coveted national MSA Principal of the Year Award.

Also, Ms. Vivian Gonzalez, a teacher at South Miami K-8 Center, was selected from an applicant pool of Magnet school teachers as the Region III Magnet Schools of America 2016 Teacher of the Year. As the Region III representative, Ms. Gonzalez is a finalist for the national MSA Teacher of the Year.

About Magnet School Programs in Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Magnet school programs offer unique courses of study focusing on students’ special interests, talents, and abilities and are available in six themes of study: Careers & Professions; International Programs; Liberal Arts; Mathematics, Science, & Technology; Virtual Programs; and Visuals & Performing Arts. Since opening its first magnet program in 1973, M-DCPS has greatly expanded magnet options. Currently, over 64,000 students are enrolled in over 375 magnet programs offered at more than 110 schools district-wide.